Tony Nicconi runs fast early sectionals in impressive debut victory
After suffering shin soreness earlier in the season, Tony Nicconi had his first race start in the Keno Let’s Play Two-Year-Old Handicap (1200m) and after beginning well from his outside barrier (10), he was forced to work in the early stages before racing outside the leader at a strong tempo.
Luke Nolen dashed Tony Nicconi to the front on turning for home and the colt then showed his quality in racing away to score impressively by four lengths in the good time of 1:10.68.
But it was Tony Nicconi’s early sectionals that really took the eye.
Clocked (from the 1000 metre point) Tony Nicconi’s 200 metre breakdown was: 10.39, 11.14 (400m in 21.53), 12.06 (600m in 33.59), 11.51 (800m in 45.10) and 12.15 for a quick final 1000 metre time of 57.25.
After the race co-trainer Tom Dabernig told AAP: “He was a bit shin sore early on – they were a bit stiff to run into him at this time of the year.”
In the following race, the performance of the OTI-raced and Darren Weir-trained import Mantastic (Fastnet Rock) created quite an impression.
After winning one of three starts, a three-year-old maiden handicap (1600m) at Clairefontaine in France last year, Mantasic resumed for Weir with a second in a Benchmark 78 (1400m) at Flemington on June 9.
Then at Caulfield on Saturday, Mantastic ran in a similar Benchmark 78 (1600m) and having settled at the tail of the field, after beginning from the outside barrier (14), the lightly-raced gelding showed his potential, confirmed by some impressive late sectionals.
Mantastic came with a strong finish, failing by a nose to overhaul his stablemate and favourite Haripour (Shamardal) in a time of 1:36.32.
He was clocked to run his final 1400 metres in 1:22.04, last 1200 metres in 1:10.07, last 1000 metres in 58.03, last 800 metres in 46.14, last 600 metres in 34.34, with the final 400 metres in a quick 22.91.
Those times were excellent, suggesting that Mantastic looks primed to progress to far better things.
Later in the program, his Darren Weir-trained stablemate, the Irish-bred Pacodali (Paco Boy) produced some good closing times in taking out the Keno Bonus Handicap (1800m).
After settling back in seventh place, Pacodali finished too well for another import from the Weir stable Sixties Groove (Sixties Icon) and scored by a half-length in the good time of 1:49.58 (12.17 200m rate) for the 1800 metres.
Pacodali produced some very impressive closing times, especially his fast 1:34.91 for his final 1600 metres.
His other closing sectionals also being very good with his last 1400 metres in 1:23.18, last 1200 metres in 1:11.16, last 1000 metres in 58.88, last 800 metres in 46.50, last 600 metres in 34.61, last 400 metres in 22.61 with his final 200 metres in 11.50.
Pacodali had his first start for Darren Weir in May last year and his record for the stable since is ten starts for five wins and two placings, Saturday being his fourth Open Handicap in the metropolitan area.
He is yet to win in stakes class but his effort at Caulfield suggests that should not be far off.